Contemplating Eris to Droid switch....thoughts?

[Needsdecaf]

Hey all... So here's my story:

First, I've read all the "I switched from Eris to Droid" posts. Found them to be informative, most a bit dated.

Second, I've had my Eris since the first day it came out. I went to the store expecting to buy a Droid on the first day it came out. It happened to be right when I needed a new phone, I didn't have an existing phone or plan, so I was free do to what I wanted. Didn't know anything about an Eris. Went to the store and was unimpressed by the Droid's keyboard. Plus it felt blocky and I didn't like that the sliding keyboard felt like it was going to slide out all the time. Picked up the Eris and between the size, the form factor, and Sense UI's 7 screens and widgets I decided that the $100 savings was money well pocketed.

It didn't take me long to start getting annoyed with it though. The battery life, the lag and other issues mounted. Then Sense kept re-booting, as did the phone. So I went back to the store inside my 30 days. I got a new one and an "extension" on my return ability.

The second phone was great...for a while. Lag returned, in a big way. In the meantime, the Droid got 2.0.1 and is getting 2.1 soon. The Eris should have 2.1 by the end of the month, but I'm not convinced it will solve my issues.

I was in the mall again today and spent another 15 minutes or so with the Droid. The screen has always impressed me, but the speed just blows me away. I hate the fact that it takes Handcent 10 seconds to load, the fact that the landscape keyboard is slow in loading, then laggy. That the menus, etc. are just slow. Slow, slow, slow, and did I mention, slow?

I've tweaked this phone 9 ways from Sunday, have tried all manner of task killers, task panel, startup manager, etc. I've cleared cache, re-booted, etc. This phone, in current form, lags.

Now 2.1 is coming with Sense, and that may help. But the Droid's screen....oh, that screen.

So here are my questions:

1) I hated the keyboard, and after using the phone for about an hour and a half in total, still don't like it. I know you don't have to use it, are there those that liked it better with time?

2) Does the sliding keyboard "loosen up" with time ? It didn't feel impressively locked closed to begin with, I don't want to feel like it's going to fall open in my hand.

3) How's the battery life? With my Eris, I can get a full day of GOOD usage without having to re-charge. The Droid?

4) I've heard issues with phone sound quality. Are those common, or isolated?

5) How's the screen in sunlight?


Thanks all.

 

[schad89]

1. I

 

[YankeeDudeL]

1) I hated the keyboard, and after using the phone for about an hour and a half in total, still don't like it. I know you don't have to use it, are there those that liked it better with time?

I had an LG Dare before this which is all touch. But I actually prefer the physical keyboard on the Droid. And it proves to be a pretty useful option in certain instances (like when having Swype as your default virtual keyboard).

2) Does the sliding keyboard "loosen up" with time ? It didn't feel impressively locked closed to begin with, I don't want to feel like it's going to fall open in my hand.

I've had the Droid since day 1 and it's just as it was then. Def won't fall open. It has opened up on me in my front pocket (which I rarely carry it there) but has never dialed anyone or started any apps.

3) How's the battery life? With my Eris, I can get a full day of GOOD usage without having to re-charge. The Droid?

I can go two days w/ moderate use on a single charge. If I'm really playing w/ it all day, it'll need to be charged later that night.

4) I've heard issues with phone sound quality. Are those common, or isolated?

I've seen people on here w/ that issue, but I've never had it. Sound is beautiful for me.

5) How's the screen in sunlight?

I haven't directly tested it, but I've never had an issue w/ sunlight.


Thanks all.

You're welcome.[/quote]

 

[Gunner]

1. The KB definitely takes some getting used to, but it's not un-usable. And I use an app that brings up suggestions as I'm typing, so if I notice it's already got the correct word picked I just hit spacebar and move on.

2. Mine hasn't. Seems like those w/ loose KB's have them loose from day 1.

3. I can get > 24hrs w/ light usage. With moderate to heavy usage anywhere from 6 - 12hrs.

4. Has always been good for me.

5. You'll have to crank backlight to 100% in bright sunlight, but it's useable. I use it for GPS Nav on bright sunny days and can see the screen fine.

 

[pilotcharles747]

if you looking to get an up to date phone and you not going to use the keyboard the nexus may b 4 u. I use the keyboard constantly so the droid is for me.

 

[Needsdecaf]

if you looking to get an up to date phone and you not going to use the keyboard the nexus may b 4 u. I use the keyboard constantly so the droid is for me.

I would love to be able to look at the Nexus, but alas I won't be in a position to do so. It's either keep the Eris, or swap for the Droid, no alternative.

 

[schad89]

I would love to be able to look at the Nexus, but alas I won't be in a position to do so. It's either keep the Eris, or swap for the Droid, no alternative.

Well unless sense UI and a slightly smaller form factor are a big deal to you, get the Droid.

 

[Needsdecaf]

What's the scoop on Multitouch on this phone? I know that it was not supported originally...is it now? I know it CAN, in such apps as Dolphin browser....can it in the gallery, for instance? How about on the keyboard? Does one of the aftermarket ones like Swype support it?

 

[pilotcharles747]

I would love to be able to look at the Nexus, but alas I won't be in a position to do so. It's either keep the Eris, or swap for the Droid, no alternative.

man that sucks becuz ima assume u went eris because of it being slim. Well I would go droid.

new to verizon, if you bought your phone our right are you able to switch phones, or do they consider that an early termination

 

[Needsdecaf]

man that sucks becuz ima assume u went eris because of it being slim. Well I would go droid.

new to verizon, if you bought your phone our right are you able to switch phones, or do they consider that an early termination

no, I petitioned before my 30 days was up to extend my trial period and it was granted by the store I purchased the phone from. But they're only giving it until Jan 15th (I think others have indicated this is a special "holiday grace period", so I'm not feeling so special) so the Nexus One doesn't come into play.

 

[pilotcharles747]

i was referring to in general, say hypothetically if i decided i wanted to purchase the nexus and was willing to pay 600 for it will i be able to switch phones.

 

[teschoen]

I ordered my Droid from Verizon online the day it came out, and have had it since the monday after it came out.

1) I don't use the keyboard now that I have Swype.
2) since I don't open the keyboard I don't expect it to loosen, and it is just as tight as it was when I bought it.
4) I have used my phone moderately today. Took it off the charger at 6AM, made a few phone calls, had 2 email accounts sync with it all day, browsed the web, downloaded a couple apps and used Pandora for 4 hours. I have 50% of my battery right now. It will be at 40% when I go to bed. I could leave it over night and have it down to 20-30% when I wake up and charge it in the morning, but I throw it on the charger each night.

5) I may be the only person who likes the auto-dim of the screen.. and it cranks it up in full light and looks good.

 

[Needsdecaf]

i was referring to in general, say hypothetically if i decided i wanted to purchase the nexus and was willing to pay 600 for it will i be able to switch phones.

I would think you could switch phones if you bought it at full price....if they even sell it that way.

 

[admorris]

Swype is absolutely awesome...love that app, plus it give the phone a little bit nice virtual keyboard if you want to do the old tap method. I came from the Pre and I have to say that battery life on the Droid has been excellent for me. I would consider myself a pretty heavy user (constantly texting throughout day, surfing net, 2 email acounts auto sync, phone talk probably an hour a day) and I'm at 40-50% after 12 hours of usage. I was just starting to get used to the keyboard when I downloaded swype...no more keyboard for me. They do have a multitouch gallery that is really nice in the app store...allows pinch zoom as well as swiping from picture to picture. The 2.1 gallery just became available for download a couple days ago. That doesn't allow pinch zoom, but the layout is beautiful and it seperates pictures by date as well as location. Just get the Droid, you won't regret it. After reading about the Nexus, I doubt I'll switch to it even after it is available to Verizon.

 

[jimmm18]

I had the Eris and upgraded to the Droid because the Eris would not sync correctly with my car blue tooth. I liked the Eris for its form and smaller size. Wasn't planning on upgrading but holding on to it for a year and then seeing what was available then, knowing the were at least a few faster android phones on the horizon.

Now that I have the droid I must say it is a better phone all around but I think I mentioned that in another thread.

However, I don't use the physical keyboard at all. I got so use to the virtual one on the Eris that I just stayed with it on the Droid. I don't notice a huge difference between the two. I can only really use either of them in landscape mode but I seem to be getting better on the portrait version.

If you happy with the virtual keyboard on the Eris you will never need to open the droid.

Also I am using home++ which has made the transition from sense UI a little easier but once 2.1 comes out I will probably go vanilla Android.